KUALA LUMPUR – The Hartal Doktor Kontrak movement is claiming an “exodus” of government medical officers heading to the private sector is due to career stability or a better work environment.
The movement’s spokesman Dr Muhammad Yassin said among the contributing factors is the apparent unequal distribution of government doctors in some places.
“Not all doctors who are offered permanent positions and sent to Sabah or Sarawak will accept it. It is not about being choosy or ungrateful but there are other reasons, including family issues.
“Some are worried that their career development in a department will be affected, for example, they are sent to Sabah but placed in rural clinics even though they want to be in a speciality that requires them to be in hospital,” he told Getaran, The Vibes’ sister portal.
To address the shortage of doctors, he said, the government is advised to provide more permanent slots to contract doctors.
“The government also needs to improve the work environment, especially the bullying culture among doctors. This can help more (contract doctors) express an interest to remain in the government sector,” he said.
He added that the government is advised to increase the special incentive allowance for doctors or health workers serving in rural areas.
In February, the cabinet agreed to create an additional 4,186 permanent posts in the Health Ministry for this year.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this would involve 3,586 medical officers, 300 dentistry officers, and 300 pharmaceutical officers, while the additional posts would be offered starting June.
He added that the cabinet agreed to add 1,500 of the permanent posts annually, beginning 2023 until 2025. – The Vibes, June 9, 2022
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